A paedophile who unwittingly confessed to an undercover police officer that he 'loved' schoolboys and wanted to meet up in a hotel has been jailed. Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Owen Road, Merridale, Wolverhampton, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, August 4, to four-and-a-half years in prison. He was also handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Undercover Operation
The undercover officer posted a fake profile on an 'adult social media platform' on February 21, 2025, and pretended to be a gay teenage boy. Singh 'took the bait' and began communicating with the decoy, who told him he was 14 years old. When the officer asked if 'he was cool with that', Singh replied: "I love under-18 boys", adding that he was 'frightened' - a reference to the consequences of sexually communicating with a child.
The pair exchanged profile pictures, with Singh telling the decoy "you look so sexy". They spoke regularly over the next couple of weeks, the court heard. In one message, Singh said "shall we meet and have fun?", with the boy 'responding enthusiastically'. When the boy described how he was a 'gay virgin', the paedophile said: "I have experience of virgins and would have fun with you, if you let me."
Grooming and Planning
Judge Jonathan Gosling said Singh was 'gently grooming his target'. Possible locations for a meeting were discussed including their homes, a hotel and 'even the open', while train journeys to London were also considered. Singh told the boy: "I really want to do it. I have never done it before. I like youngsters, that's why I have never got a chance." He later asked the child: "If I book hotel, is it okay or not?"
The paedophile sent videos to the child of adults performing sex acts, prompting the boy to ask "is this what were are going to do?", with Singh replying "yes". Judge Gosling said: "The defendant was cautious. He deleted the messages as soon as they were sent and received but, of course, the decoy retained them."
Conviction and Sentencing
Singh was convicted after trial by jurors in July 2026 of one count of sexual communication with a child, three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. The court heard how Singh continues to maintain his denial of the offences.
Judge Gosling said Singh intended to meet up and, at the least, perform a sex act on the boy but probably would have 'lost his bottle'. He added: "I have doubts that he would have had the gall to carry it through."
Joshua Radcliffe, defending, said Singh's crimes were a 'relatively short course of offending'. He added: "There is nothing to suggest he went looking for this. It found him. He should have done better. He should have desisted."
Singh, who had no previous convictions, came to the UK to study business management and would 'still like a career as a business manager', Mr Radcliffe said. The defendant has had an 'isolated' time while on remand, with just one phone call with his family - and does not want them to know of his crimes. Mr Radcliffe said: "He has let down those who love and care for him. He has let himself down." The barrister added that 'there is nothing to suggest that this is somebody who is likely to pose a danger', with Judge Gosling agreeing.
